POST’S guide to the pan am games

Gymnastics – rhythmicRhythmic gymnastics Guide to the Games

B y K a i t l y n Mc G r a t h , n a t i o n a l p o s t Venue Coliseum

Venue acronym TCO

Landmark status Medium Ricoh Coliseum is the home to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL team, the Toronto Marlies.

Other events at venue Artistic gymnastics and trampo- line

Transit options Pan Am Park (also known as the Exhibition grounds) is served by a number of TTC buses and

2 National Post Guide to the Games streetcars ❚❚509 Harbourfront streetcar from Union Station (Line 1 subway) ❚❚511 Bathurst streetcar from Bathurst Station (Line 2 subway) ❚❚29 Dufferin bus from Dufferin (Line 2) and Wilson (Line 1) sta- tions ❚❚193 Exhibition Rocket tempor- ary express bus from Dundas West Station (Line 2) ❚❚You can also take the GO Train to the Exhibition stop on the Lakeshore West line.

For exact directions, try: Triplinx.ca TTC trip planner

Schedule July 17 Individual qualifications

3 National Post Guide to the Games (hoop, ball); group qualifications (5 ribbons) July 18 Individual qualifications (clubs, ribbon); group qualifica- tions (6 clubs, 2 hoops) July 19 Individual finals (hoop, ball); group finals (5 ribbons) July 20 Individual finals (clubs, ribbon); group finals (6 clubs, 2 hoops)

See the full competition schedule at the Pan Am website

How it works Using one of a ball, a hoop, clubs or ribbons, competitors perform a choreographed routine to music. But here’s the catch, the apparatus of choice isn’t just for show, each gymnast must keep it moving throughout their per-

4 National Post Guide to the Games formance by performing an array of tricks.

Nations competing Individual Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mex- ico, United States, Venezuela Group Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, United States

Canada’s team Individual Patricia Bezzoubenko, Thornhill, Ont.; Carmen Whelan, Aurora, Ont. Group Katrina Cameron, Mississauga, Ont.; Maya Kojnevikov, Rich- mond Hill, Ont.; Lucinda Nowell, Kanata, Ont.; Vanessa Panov,

5 National Post Guide to the Games Toronto; Anjelika Reznik Vaughan, Ont.; Victoria Reznik, Vaughan, Ont.

Tournament format Individual qualification rounds in each discipline are followed with a final round when medals are awarded.

Patricia Bezzoubenko at 2014

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Results from 2011 Julie Zetlin of the U.S. won five medals in Guadalajara, including gold in the all-round as well as ball and ribbon. Cynthia Valdez of Mexico also won five medals, topped by gold in club and hoops. Brazil took the group gold ahead of Canada.

Why it’s worth watching You can watch basketball or soc- cer anytime, but when else do you get a chance to see rhythmic gym- nastics? It’s a sport that requires grace as much as it demands strength; it’s a combination of beauty and brawn. And this is your chance to see it live.

Competition outlook The United States, Brazil, Can-

7 National Post Guide to the Games ada and Mexico will likely earn their counties some medals here. Canada’s Bezzoubenko and the United States’ Jasmine Kerber will be two favourites for the indi- vidual events.

Photo: Andrew Vaughn, The Canadian Press

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